Sacred Rocks makes winning Sydney debut

[Wandering Eyes]

Promising New Zealand-bred mare Sacred Rocks (NZ) (Sacred Falls) made a big impression in her first appearance in Sydney on Saturday, storming home from well off the pace to win the A$160,000 Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill.

The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old had previously had four starts in Victoria, starting with a winning debut at Pakenham in January. She was runner-up in two appearances at Sandown in January and February, then returned from a freshen-up with an impressive five-length victory at Sale on May 28.

Sacred Rocks was sent out as a $3.10 favourite on Saturday and more than justified that billing. After settling near the tail of the field for jockey Dylan Gibbons, she began to warm into her work down the outside of the home straight.

Still only fourth with 200m remaining, she changed gears late in the piece and finished over the top of Weeping Woman (Lonhro) and Drift Net (Exceed And Excel) to score stylishly by a neck.

From five starts, Sacred Rocks has now recorded three wins and two second placings. She has earned A$143,550 in prizemoney.

Sacred Rocks was bred by Stareye NZ Ltd, who are best known for breeding the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) winner Gypsy Goddess (NZ) (Tarzino).

Sacred Rocks is by Sacred Falls out of the Fastnet Rock mare Rocks For Me. That makes her a half-sister to the Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) winner She’s A Con (NZ) (Contributer).

Offered by Edinglassie Stud at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Sacred Rocks was bought by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock and Thompson Creek for A$240,000.

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